The Maribyrnong City Council 'Towards Reconciliation' Action Plan was intended to guide Maribyrnong City Council's work on the process of Aboriginal Reconciliation over the three year period between 1998 and 2001. The Plan recognises the important leadership role that local government has in generating greater awareness and understanding of the Reconciliation process in local communities. The Plan establishes Council's leadership role in facilitating the reconciliation process.

Detailed Information:

The Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation are currently recognised as being the remaining traditional custodians of land in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

The City Council's work towards Reconciliation is guided by the following principles:

That Reconciliation -

Is a process which Council engages in with the Aboriginal community

Requires trust, mutual respect and a commitment to build understanding and recognition

Recognises the citizenship rights and specific Indigenous rights of Indigenous Australians and their distinctive place as the original inhabitants of Australia

Recognises past and present injustices and that change is required to address those injustices

Ensures that organisations are accessible and respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Plan sets out the following key actions to be implemented over the three year period. To:

Respect Indigenous cultural identity and protect Indigenous heritage

Improve cultural understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the Maribyrnong community

Recognise and advance the citizenship rights of Indigenous Australians

Recognise the need for healing in response to the consequences of past injustices

Advocate for the social and economic development aspirations of Indigenous people in the west of Melbourne

Ensure coordination and the sharing of resources so that the outcomes of the Reconciliation process in the west of Melbourne are maximised.

The Plan sets out numerous ways to ensure the achievement of the key actions.

Upon the expiry of the Action Plan in 2002, the Council resolved to develop a second policy framework on Reconciliation. This led to the development of the 'Reconciliation and Action Plan 2003-2005: Maribyrnong Council's Commitment to Indigenous Australians' and to the signing of the 'Statement of Commitment to Reconciliation between Indigenous Australians and Maribyrnong City Council.